Playing with tech is fun, but using your people skills to solve business problems is a lot more rewarding.
In this episode of Unlocking Momentum, Aaron Kopel sits down with
Alan Ariel, fractional and interim CIO at
Ariel View Solutions, LLC, who brings 40 years of leadership experience across the U.S. Navy and the IT industry. Alan shares how staying calm, simplifying the problem, and improving cross-functional communication helped his team complete a critical data center migration during a major crisis.
The conversation explores why staff engagement is essential, how leaders can empower their teams without micromanaging, and why CIOs must evaluate AI based on real productivity rather than fear of missing out. Alan also explains why critical thinking will become even more valuable in the AI era and how confident leadership helps people navigate uncertainty and change.
Key takeaways:
- Progress begins with calm, coordinated action
- Engaged employees understand how their work supports the mission
- AI investments should create measurable value, not follow hype
Episode highlights
(
00:00) Introducing Alan Ariel
(
01:14) The value of a fractional CIO
(
02:32) Avoiding micromanagement as a leader
(
03:36) Leading through a data center crisis
(
05:31) Building momentum through coordinated action
(
09:17) Why meaningful staff engagement matters
(
12:43) Evaluating AI beyond the hype
(
15:02) Critical thinking in the AI era
(
17:41) Building confidence through leadership
(
20:03) Why people make technology work
(
21:35) Connecting and learning through networking
(
23:37) Rapid-fire questions and leadership legacy
Resources:
What is Unlocking Momentum?
Transformation doesn’t come from theory. It comes from motion. From momentum. And from leaders willing to do things differently.
Unlocking Momentum is for the evolving CIOs, strategic leaders who aren’t satisfied just managing systems, but driving growth, enabling innovation, and building the future of their organizations.
Hosted by Aaron Kopel, founder of Project Brilliant and creator of the Momentum Locksmith framework, this show is where forward-thinking leaders come to grow.